Apparatus, system, and method for providing emergency information

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and apparatus for an emergency information system (EIS) are described that may be used to provide emergency information about a person, animal, or other entity when necessary to treat an emergency condition or situation. The EIS may include a packet including a sheath, a pocket configured on a surface of the sheath, an information sheet configured to fit substantially inside the pocket; a closing mechanisms configured to be secure packet around a member in a closed position.

This patent application claims priority from patent applications U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/545,075 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEM,AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING EMERGENCY INFORMATION,” which was filed on Oct.7, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates generally to apparatus, methods, and systemsreceivers for providing emergency information.

2. Background

Emergencies cannot be predicted. At the time of an accident, a patientor victim is often unable to provide necessary information due to anaccident, illness, or other impairment. In such situations, anidentification card or picture ID may not be sufficient to understand orprovide information about a person's condition, thereby limitingemergency personnel's ability to properly diagnose and aid a patient.Accordingly, this lack of information limits a patient's ability tocompletely recover or be given the necessary treatment at the time ofthe accident.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, there is described an emergency information system(“EIS”) for providing information about a person, animal, or entity thatis capable being used to provide care. The EIS may include an articlehaving information concerning medical condition, identificationinformation, information about medications, and other relevantinformation about a person, animal, or other entity to enable a personto provide care in an emergency.

The article may be made from paper, cloth, metal, or other similarmaterial for receiving printed or written information. The EIS may alsoinclude a device for receiving the article. The device may be a carrier,a packet, or other configuration for receiving, attaching, and/orstoring the article. The device may be configured to be coupled to aperson, animal, or entity in a variety of ways including Velcro, aclasp, a drawstring, a collar, or any other suitable configuration.

Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features and advantages ofthe invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in theart upon examination of the following figures and detailed description.It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary emergency information packet.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate an exemplary packet folded around an elongatedmember.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary emergency information sheet.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary emergency information sheet.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of a packet secured onto a lap orshoulder belt of a vehicle seat.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a packet secured onto a strap of abackpack.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a packet secured onto a cane.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an example of a packet secured to an animalcollar or leash.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Each of the additional features and teachings disclosed below can beutilized separately or in conjunction with other features and teachingsto provide a device, system, and/or method for providing emergencyinformation. Representative examples of the present invention, whichutilize many of these additional features and teachings both separatelyand in combination, will now be described in further detail withreference to the attached drawings. This detailed description is merelyintended to teach a person of skill in the art further details forpracticing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is notintended to limit the scope of the invention. Therefore, combinations offeatures and steps disclosed in the following detail description may notbe necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and areinstead taught merely to particularly describe representative examplesof the present teachings

Moreover, the various features of the representative examples and thedependent claims may be combined in ways that are not specifically andexplicitly enumerated in order to provide additional useful embodimentsof the present teachings. In addition, it is expressly noted that allfeatures disclosed in the description and/or the claims are intended tobe disclosed separately and independently from each other for thepurpose of original disclosure, as well as for the purpose ofrestricting the claimed subject matter independent of the compositionsof the features in the embodiments and/or the claims. It is alsoexpressly noted that all value ranges or indications of groups ofentities disclose every possible intermediate value or intermediateentity for the purpose of original disclosure, as well as for thepurpose of restricting the claimed subject matter.

An EIS includes an article having emergency information printed orwritten thereon; and a device adapted for receiving and storing theinformation sheet therein, and for being coupled with the informationsheet on, near, or carried by a person or animal identified by theemergency information. The information sheet may be placed into thepacket, which may then be coupled to the person, animal, or entity. Forpurposes of this disclosure, reference will be made to a “person.”However, a person may be an animal or other entity in the embodimentsdiscussed and described below.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, EIS may include an emergency informationpacket 10 including a sheath 12 with a pocket 14 configured in or on onesurface for receiving an information sheet 20, and a closure mechanism16 a/16 b on opposing edges of the sheath 12. The sheath 12 may bewrapped or folded around a member 30 and the opposing edges of thesheath may be secured together by mechanism 16 a/16 b, thereby couplingthe emergency information packet 10 onto a member 30.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate schematically one example of how sheath 12 may befolded to or coupled to the member 30. Any suitable fabric or materialmay be employed for forming the packet 10 and pocket 14. Any suitableclosure mechanism may be employed, including but not limited to at leastone hook-and-loop closure (such as a Velcro® closure); at least onesnap; at least one button, at least one clasp; or at least one buckle.The closure mechanism 16 a/16 b illustrated in the exemplary embodimentof FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2D is a hook-and-loop enclosure (such as a Velcro®closure). Other suitable enclosures may be equivalently employed.

The information sheet 20 may be folded prior to being placed in thepocket 14 of the packet 10. A pull tab may also be coupled to theinformation sheet 20 to aid in removing the sheet 20 from the pocket 14.The information sheet 20 may comprise paper; cardstock; cardboard;laminated paper, cardstock, or cardboard; plastic; or metal; or anyother suitable medium for carrying printed or written informationthereon that may be received within the pocket 14 of packet 10.

For use by a person, the printed or written emergency information mayinclude the person's name, and may include a wide array of additionalinformation (as in the examples of FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B). Theinformation may be printed or written in any suitable language orlanguages. Both English and Spanish are shown in the example of FIGS.3A-3B and 4A-4B.

Examples of information that may be printed or written on informationsheet 20 may include, but are not limited to; the person's physicaladdress; the person's phone number; the person's email address; aphotograph of the person; the person's Social Security number; theperson's driver's license number; the name, phone number, physicaladdress, or email address of the person's spouse, parent, guardian,other relative, or other designated contact person; the person's height,weight, sex, or date of birth; the person's blood type; at least apartial listing of the person's medications, medical history, allergies,medical conditions, or medical treatments; the person's organ donorstatus; the name, phone number, physical address, or email address ofthe person's preferred physician; the name, phone number, physicaladdress, or email address of the person's preferred dentist; the name,phone number, physical address, or email address of the person'spreferred hospital, clinic, or other treatment facility; consent formedical or dental treatment of the person; the person's medicaldirectives; the person's medical insurance information; the person'sautomobile insurance information; the name, phone number, physicaladdress, or email address of the person's attorney; or the name, phonenumber, physical address, or email address of the person's clergyman.

The emergency information packet 10 may be used in a wide variety ofcircumstances secured to any of a wide variety of members. For example,the emergency information packet 10 may be secured onto a shoulder strap31 or lap belt 32 of a vehicle seat in which the person identified oninformation sheet 20 is sitting, as in FIG. 5A or 5B. The vehicle may bean automobile, truck, passenger van, bus, train, aircraft, boat, ship,or any other vehicle with seats having lap belts or shoulder straps. Thepacket 10 maybe secured onto a strap of a child safety seat into whichthe identified person is secured. The packet 10 may be secured onto abelt or strap securing the identified person into a stroller orwheelchair. Alternatively, the packet 10 may be secured to a framemember of the stroller or wheelchair. The packet 10 may be secured ontoa strap of a safety harness, purse or bag, backpack, fanny-pack strap,belt, suspenders, or life jacket worn by the identified person (such asstrap 33 of backpack 34, as in FIG. 6). The packet 10 may be securedonto a cane, walker, crutch pole, or walking stick used by theidentified person (such as cane 35, as in FIG. 7). The packet 10 may besecured onto a strap of a purse, bag, equipment bag or case, instrumentbag or case, or luggage carried by the identified person. The packet 10may be secured onto a tent pole or frame member of a tent occupied bythe identified person. The packet may also be secured to any suitabledevice worn on the head of a person including a helmet. Moreover, thepacket 10 may be integrated into a strap or belt worn around or on aperson and secured using the mechanism 16 a/16 b.

The packet 10 secured to a vehicle lap belt, vehicle shoulder strap, orchild safety seat strap may enable rapid identification of anunconscious, incapacitated, or unresponsive victim at an accident scene,as well as imparting additional important or useful to emergencyresponse or medical personnel.

Packet 10 secured to a stroller or wheelchair may similarly provideinformation in the event of an accident or emergency. Packet 10 securedto a strap worn by a person (typically as part of some other article,e.g., a backpack) may provide ready identification and other informationeven if the wearer is rendered unconscious, incapacitated, orunresponsive by an accident, injury, or medical condition. This mayprove particularly useful in workplace, outdoor, or recreationalsettings, where injuries or accidents may be more likely, and wherespecial equipment (often including straps, belts, or other elongatedmember) often may be worn or carried by participants. The packet may besecured to the person's belt or suspenders. The packet 10 enables readyidentification of the person even if he or she wanders away from asupervised environment.

The emergency information packet 10 is adapted for being readilylocated, identified, and accessed, particularly by emergency personnelor other responder or bystander. All or part of the packet may bebrightly colored, for example, so that its presence may be readilydiscerned. Red, orange, or yellow may be preferred colors, since theymay be traditionally associated with emergency, safety, or medicalequipment, however, any bright color may be employed. Fluorescent,phosphorescent, or reflective coloring, on all or part of the packet,may enhance the visibility of the packet. The packet may have markingsincluding text, symbols, or other indicia, indicating that emergencyinformation may be found within (as in FIGS. 1A and 1B). Any suitabletext, symbols, or other indicia may be employed.

The emergency information packet 10 may be employed for identifying ananimal, such as livestock or a pet. In this case the printed or writtenemergency information may include the animal's name (or otheridentifier, such as a serial number), and the name of the animal'sowner. The information may further include, but is not limited to, thephone number, physical address, or email address of the owner; the name,phone number, physical address, or email address of a veterinarianpreferred by the owner; at least a partial listing of the animal'smedications, medical history, medical conditions, or medical treatments;consent for treatment of the animal; or the owner's medical directivesfor the animal. The packet 10 may be secured onto the animal's collar36, leash 37, harness, or yoke (as in FIGS. 8A and 8B).

The packet 10 may also be configured with a reflection device on asurface. In one embodiment, the packet 10 may be configured with anelectronic device configured to play an audio and/or video message,data, or other content. The packet 10 may also be configured withvoice-activated or Bluetooth® technology to activate the electronicdevice in the event of an emergency.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed.Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent topractitioners skilled in this art. Similarly, any process stepsdescribed might be interchangeable with other steps in order to achievethe same result. The embodiment was chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the invention and its best mode practicalapplication, thereby to enable others skilled in the art to understandthe invention for various embodiments and with various modifications asare suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It isintended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto and their equivalents. Reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly sostated, but rather means “one or more.” Moreover, no element, component,nor method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated tothe public regardless of whether the element, component, or method stepis explicitly recited in the following claims. No claim element hereinis to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, sixthparagraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase“means for . . . .”

It should be understood that the figures illustrated in the attachments,which highlight the functionality and advantages of the presentinvention, are presented for example purposes only. The architecture ofthe present invention is sufficiently flexible and configurable, suchthat it may be utilized (and navigated) in ways other than that shown inthe accompanying figures.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The Abstract is not intended to be limiting as to thescope of the present invention in any way. It is also to be understoodthat the steps and processes recited in the claims need not be performedin the order presented.

Also, it is noted that the embodiments may be described as a processthat is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, ora block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as asequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallelor concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may bere-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed.A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, asubroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function,its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the callingfunction or the main function.

Moreover, a storage medium may represent one or more devices for storingdata, including read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM),magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flash memorydevices and/or other machine-readable mediums, processor-readablemediums, and/or computer-readable mediums for storing information. Theterms “machine-readable medium”, “computer-readable medium”, and/or“processor-readable medium” may include, but are not limited tonon-transitory mediums such as portable or fixed storage devices,optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing,containing or carrying instruction(s) and/or data. Thus, the variousmethods described herein may be fully or partially implemented byinstructions and/or data that may be stored in a “machine-readablemedium”, “computer-readable medium”, and/or “processor-readable medium”and executed by one or more processors, machines and/or devices.

The various features of the invention described herein can beimplemented in different systems without departing from the invention.It should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merely examplesand are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The descriptionof the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the claims. As such, the present teachings can be readilyapplied to other types of apparatuses and many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

1. An emergency information system (EIS), comprising: a packet includinga sheath a pocket configured on a surface of the sheath; an informationsheet configured to fit substantially inside the pocket; a closingmechanism configured to be secure packet around a member in a closedposition.
 2. The EIS of claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism comprisesa loop and hook mechanism.
 3. The EIS of claim 1, wherein the closingmechanism comprises Velcro®.
 4. The EIS of claim 1, wherein theinformation sheet comprises emergency information identifying a person.5. The EIS of claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises one of paper,cardstock, cardboard, laminated paper, cardstock, cardboard, plastic,and metal.
 6. The EIS of claim 1, wherein the member comprises one of astrap, helmet, arm, collar, and clothing.
 7. The EIS of claim 1, whereinthe sheath further comprises one of lettering, a logo, and a reflectoron a surface of the sheath.
 8. The EIS of claim 1 further comprising anelectronic device configured to provide one of audio or video content.9. A method for providing emergency information, comprising: providing apacket including a sheath; providing an information sheet includingemergency information in a pocket of the sheath; securing the packetaround a member using a closing mechanisms.
 10. The method of claim 9,further comprising using a pull tab to remove the sheet from the pocket.11. The method of claim 9, further comprising forming the sheet from oneof paper, cardstock, cardboard, laminated paper, cardstock, cardboard,plastic, and metal.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprisingsecuring the packet to one of a strap, helmet, arm, collar, andclothing.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising integrating thepacket into a belt.